The Writings of Justin Martyr

Justin Martyr, Karen O. Bullock

• Publisher: Holman Reference
• Year: 1999
• ISBN:
  9781433672569
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Reference

Shepherd's Notes- Christian Classics Series is designed to give readers a quick, step by step overview of some of the enduring treasures of the Christian faith. They are designed to be used along side the classic itself- either in individual study or in a study group. The faithful of all generations have found spiritual nourishment in the Scriptures and in the works of Christians of earlier generations. Martin Luther and John Calvin would not have become who they were apart from their reading Augustine. God used the writings of Martin Luther to move John Wesley from a religion of dead works to an experience at Aldersgate in which his "heart was strangely warmed." Shepherd's Notes will give pastors, laypersons, and students access to some of the treasures of Christian faith.

FIRST APOLOGY

“So you, then, since you are called pious and philosophers and guardians of justice and lovers of culture, listen in every way; and it will be shown if you are such” (ch. 2).

DATE, PURPOSE, AND AUDIENCE

The dating of the Apologies is one of the intriguing aspects of Justin Martyr studies. Unless further information comes to light, this puzzle may remain a mystery. The first volume, addressed to the “Emperor Titus Aelius Adrianus Antoninus Pius, Augustus Caesar; and to his son Verissimus the philosopher, and to Lucius the philosopher” is plainly intended for Emperor Antoninus and his two sons. Antoninus followed Hadrian to the Roman throne in 138 and reigned until 161, when his son Marcus Aurelius succeeded him.

The First Apology also contains a reference to Marcionism, a Gnostic sect, as the greatest heresy of the age. Historians place Marcion in Rome during the reign of Hyginus, between 139 and 142. These and other internal data suggest that the years 151 to 155 would be a correct period for the publication of this timely document. The more problematic dating of the second volume will be taken up in the next chapter.

The purpose of the First Apology is clearly defined as well. The first salvo strikes an appeal for justice and follows quickly with a refutation of anti-Christian slander. Justin's intentions are indisputable. His first aim was to win from the government of Rome a hearing—ultimately, the right for Christianity to exist as a coherent, logical, reasonable, and legal religion. Second, Justin explained the Christian faith, its teachings, practices, and rationale to the Greek world.

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Marcion

Marcion was a wealthy shipowner from the region of Pontus. He came to Rome around A.D. 140 and became a part of the Christian church. Marcion was excommunicated around 144. He rejected the Old Testament and viewed the God of the Old Testament, the Demiurge, as inferior to the God revealed in Jesus Christ. Marcion accepted as Scripture ten letters of Paul, excluding Hebrews and 1, 2 Timothy and Titus. He further edited even these writings he accepted as Scripture.

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The audience of First Apology is urbane, cosmopolitan, intelligent, and powerful. His intended readers are despots, whose whims determine the fate of individuals without guarantee of a fair hearing. Justin knew that his life hung in the balance, that he had cast his lot with a despised people. His writings, while not known for their polish or style, do resound with heroic pleadings and undaunted courage.

FIRST APOLOGY AT A GLANCE
Chapters 1-2	Salutations and an Appeal for Justice
Chapters 3-12	Refutation of Anti-Christian Slanders
Chapter 13	Christian Worship
Chapters 14-20	Christian Teaching Versus Nature and Philosophy
Chapters 21-22	Pagan Fables Versus Rational Belief in Christ
Chapter 23	Divinity of Christ Explained
Chapters 24-29	Intolerance of Impostors Implored
Chapters 30-53	Proofs of Prophecy Fulfilled
Chapters 54-58	Mythology and Christ
Chapters 59-60	Plato, Moses, and the Creation Story
Chapters 61-67	Christian Baptism and Communion
Chapter 68	Conclusion

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Justin's Opinion of a Heretic

“The wicked demons have put forward Marcion of Pontus, who is even now teaching people to deny that God is the Maker of all things in heaven and earth, and that the Christ predicted through his prophets is His Son, and proclaims another god besides the Demiurge of all and likewise another son. Many are persuaded by him as if he alone knew the truth, and laugh at us, though they have no proof of the things they say, but are snatched away irrationally as lambs by a wolf, and become the prey of godless teaching and of demons” (ch. 58).

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CHAPTERS 1-2: SALUTATIONS AND AN APPEAL FOR JUSTICE

The opening paragraph of First Apology contains Justin Martyr's address to the Emperor Antoninus Pius, Augustus Caesar, and his two sons. Justin referred to the boys as “philosophers,” a term often used for young children. He also saluted the “Sacred Senate” and the Roman people on behalf of those of every nation who are “unjustly hated and grossly abused,…myself being one of them.” He then simply signed his name Justin, son of Priscus and grandson of Bacchius, from Flavia Neapolis in Syria-Palestine.

Chapter 2 lays the foundation for Justin's plea for understanding. He appealed first to those who love truth and honor, on the basis of reason and piety, to render decisions based on a fair hearing. He denounced those who would judge according to superstition, flattery, prejudice, irrational impulse, or evil rumors. If his hearers are guardians of justice and lovers of culture, then listen accordingly, he said, and the outcome will prove what kind of men they really are.

CHAPTERS 3-12: REFUTATION OF ANTI-CHRISTIAN SLANDERS

The request for investigation follows in chapter 3. Justin logically stated that if, after the inquiry is finished, the charges have been proved to be true, then the Christians should be punished according to their crimes. If not, he cautioned, reason forbids wronging innocent people. He quoted Plato, who said: “Unless both rulers and the ruled love wisdom, it is impossible to make cities prosper” (ch. 3).

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Roman Senate

Composed of 300 of the true aristocracy, the Roman Senators held their seats for life, unless proven to have been dishonorable. The decisions of the Senate were made on behalf of the people of Rome. Justin's salutation, then, recognized this aspect of the Senate's vast power.

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Justice Demanded

“Reason dictates that those who are truly pious and philosophical should honor and love only the truth, declining to follow the opinions of the ancients, if they are worthless…But it is for you, as reason demands, to listen [to us] and to be found good judges. For if, having learned the truth, you fail to do what is righteous, you have no defense before God” (ch. 2-3).

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Justin took exception to the practice of punishing Christians merely for bearing that name. He argued that if someone denies he is a Christian he is then set free because no evil has been found in him. On the other hand, if someone claims the name of Christ, then he is punished, whether his life is blameless or sinful. Justin challenged his listeners to inquire into the life of both and let the life of each determine his own fate. He acknowledged that in Christianity, just as in philosophy, there are those who live counterfeit to the faith they claim. Therefore, each person should be judged individually according to his deeds.

In chapter 5, Justin explained how demons corrupt men and women, strike fear into them, and delude their understanding. This is what happens when men are ruled by passion rather than reason. Justin expressed concern that those to whom he was appealing would recognize the demonic influence lurking behind their unjust judgment of Christians.

These demons, whose leader is Satan, were proclaimed gods; and all evil is ascribed to their agency. Then Socrates, through reason and evidence, sought to help illuminate the people to see the truth but was charged as an atheist and killed for his noble teaching. Logos revealed this truth not only to the Greeks through Socrates but to foreigners and others as well.

In chapters 6-8, Justin answered the specific charges of atheism, immorality, and disloyalty. He admitted that Christians are atheists with reference to the pantheon of deities. But as for the one true God, He is worshiped and adored, together with his Son “who came from Him, and taught us these things,” (ch. 6) and the prophetic Spirit, to whom is given honor in reason and truth.

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Carpocracians

Justin was aware, no doubt, of the sect known as Carpocracians (a group sometimes confused with the Egyptian cult of Harpocrates). The followers of Carpocrates of Alexandria preached a license to sin, or antinomianism. This teaching suggests, however wrongly, that Christians are by grace set free from the need to observe any moral law; therefore, sin is no longer accounted to the individual. He also taught the transmigration of souls (reincarnation) and that Jesus was born of natural birth. This sect survived until the fourth century.

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He confessed that Christians do not honor with sacrifices and garlands of flowers the deities people have made and set in the temples. He thought it preposterous that artisans ply their trades in the fashioning of temple idols by their “planning and cutting, casting, and hammering” (ch. 9). No one even questions, he said, the notion that God cannot be copied or shaped by the hands of man: “What stupidity, that dissolute people should be said to fashion and make gods for public worship, and that you should appoint such people the guardians of temples,…not recognizing that it is unlawful even to think or say that people are the guardians of gods” (ch. 9).

Instead, chapter 10 explains, God does not need material possessions. Indeed, He alone is the giver of all things. God is the one who created everything out of unformed matter. If human beings choose what is pleasing to Him and align their lives to His design, then they become worthy to reign with Him. God both persuades and leads people to faith by means of the rational powers He gives freely and by the Logos. Justin observed that there is something within human beings—the lust of wickedness—which resists the work of the Logos and the exercise of reason. This lust of wickedness is encouraged and strengthened by demons.

Chapter 11 carefully defines what kingdom Christians seek. Others had charged that Christians look for another kingdom, perhaps fearing that they would disturb the Pax Romana. Justin revealed his deep respect for Christian martyrs when he said that the kingdom Christians seek is one with God. If they wanted to overthrow the government, they would hide their allegiance and try to escape detection. But since they do not seek a human kingdom, Christians willingly testify to their faith, even though they know such a confession will bring death.

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Justin's appeal here has parallel with Paul's apolog...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Shepherd's Notes Titles
• Title page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• How to Use This Book
• Introduction
• First Apology
• Second Apology
• Dialogue with Trypho the Jew
• Notes
• Suggested Reading